‘International
Mother Language Day’, the term itself is self explanatory of its
meaning. On November 17, 1999, February 21 was announced to be the
International Mother Language Day by UNESCO. The historical incidents
trails us back to 1952 and even before, that involved continuous
oppression of the then, East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, by the West
Pakistan after the British ruling for 200 years.
Not only that people of Bangladesh were exploited, oppressed in
education, work places, and every other sector, the Pakistani Govt.
finally raised their vicious axe to the language of the people where
Bengali was spoken. Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the Governor of Pakistan had
proclaimed Urdu to be the one and only language of Pakistan, both East
and West, which ignited the long held anger and frustration of the
Bangladeshi people. Being rooted from Sanskrit, according to the people
in power, Bengali was considered as a lower class and religiously biased
language for the Hindu population while Urdu was given eliteness due to
its’ closeness to Arabic and Farsi languages; and therefore, decided to
be the language of the Muslim population which make it valid to say
that one of the underlying reasons was hatred towards a specific group
led by religious dogma.
The student population
right away protested against this vulnerable decision. Being aware of
the uproar of this act, to prevent the people from exercising their
rights, the Govt. called for a curfew. In a quick response, the students
and political leaders demonstrated their objection to such declaration
by going out on the street ten individuals in a group. Their desperate
love for Bangla and to preserve their rights made them courageous and
thus, reluctant to follow the will of the people in power. While
protesting, the Pakistani Army commanded by the high officials started
to fire at the people. Mohammad Salauddin, Abdul Jabbar, Abul Barkat, Rafiquddin Ahmed along
with an unknown rickshaw puller whose body laid on his own rickshaw
were killed. Fueled with anger, Bengali people, on the very same night
constructed the 1st Shaheed Minar, Monument for the Martyrs which was
destroyed by the Pakistani on the next day. The third one was rebuilt
after the Freedom Fight of Bangladesh, in 1971, replicating the second
version of this monument that was erected in 1957 and destroyed in the
war of ’71.
One may ask, why should we have an
International Mother Language Day? Well, the purpose is to first of
all, show respect to the Martyrs of 1952 who had devoted their lives for
language. Secondly, it is a necessary reminder of the need to maintain
and preserve our own mother tongues. Language is not a mean to talk
only, rather it is strongly tied to our heritage, identity, culture,
history; it tells us who we are. It is the bridge that connects our
present to the past as well as our future. Of course, there are many
other significant characteristics of language, but most of all, it’s a
skill too.
According to the linguistic
researchers, except for 10% out of 6,000-7,000 languages that exist now
in various parts of the world will be extinct in next 100 years. We
have already lost many languages, and therefore, the historic glories,
literature, culture, alphabets, writing systems, stories and myths
attached to that language. In this technological era, it will be a great
disaster if we don’t attempt to preserve the endengered languages.
Unlike many other languages, Bengali has its’ own alphabets which
manifests its’ richness. It is one of the most sweetest languages
amongst all. It has its’ own writing system which follows strict rules
and regulations. Banglali is the only nation on the face of earth who
had sacrificed lives for language. February 21 represents Bangali’s
boldness, honesty, sincerity, and passionate love for its’ language.
February 21 symbolizes self-empowerment, and self- assertion against
injustice.
In the beginning of the
International Mother Language Day 2011, I greet everyone. I am urging
everyone to try your best to practice your mother tongue and pass it to
your next generation despite of the situation you are in, make the day
purposeful and show your gratitude to the martyrs of the language
movement.
